Category: Taxes

For more than a decade, Starbucks has branded itself as a liberal company that MSNBC viewers can support. This careful posturing, though, was not enough to shield the company against accusations of racism after staff called the police on two African-American men sitting at a table without making a purchase. Since then, Starbucks announced that all were welcome to make use of company facilities such as bathrooms and Wi-Fi, even if no purchases are made. But what if, instead of a panicked PR response, Starbucks’ open-access policy is an opportunistic ploy to put itself in a league of its own and receive more taxpayer subsidies?

Today, David Williams, President of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA), slammed President Trump’s imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the United States. Williams argued that, “if the US government hides behind trade barriers and quotas in a global marketplace, it will start a trade war where allies will treat U.S. products in the same manner. Already, Canada, Mexico, and various European countries have announced retaliatory tariffs that will harm US producers." » Read More

This article originally appeared in the Washington Examiner on May 29, 2018.

In December, an inaugural Amtrak trip from Seattle to Portland ended in disaster, as thirteen train cars derailed and caused a smoldering ruin over I-5. Amtrak is hardly the only passenger rail vessel to encounter safety issues; the Washington, D.C. metro system has had multiple fires and crashes costing many lives over the years. These events almost always lead to calls for more public funds, even when subsidized systems have a myriad of ways to access cash. For instance, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority recently benefited from private funds from Qatar to stay open after a sporting event in downtown Washington, D.C. But taxpayers would be wise to look to another model of doing things.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) urged all members of Congress to vote for the Sugar Policy Modernization Act as an amendment to the 2018 Farm Bill. The Sugar Program was established more than 80 years ago and keeps the cost of sugar high with import quotas and tariffs. » Read More

The prospect of a bold new farm bill this year has Congress in a lurch, with endless debates over which amendments to include and discard. As lawmakers embrace sensible reforms such as work requirements for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, leading policymakers have expressed reluctance to include an amendment to modernize the 80 year-old US Sugar Program. Not including the modernization of the outdated program would keep high costs in place for consumers and taxpayers, ensuring backlash from voters wanting to “drain the swamp.” » Read More

This article originally appeared in the Washington Examiner on April 25, 2018. Paul Blair is strategic initiatives director at Americans for Tax Reform. Image credit: http://vaping360.com/

This week, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it was cracking down on the illegal sale of electronic cigarettes, namely JUUL, to minors across the country. Honest observers of this most recent move by the agency applauded the acknowledgment that the enforcement of current laws is the best way to promote public health. A contingent of Democrats and deranged activists, however, would like this to be the beginning of the end for an industry struggling to tell its side of the story. » Read More

This article originally appeared in National Review on April 18, 2018.

Millions of Americans are beginning to see the fruits of the federal tax overhaul passed in December, with higher take-home pay, bonuses, and a stronger job market. However, these good times could soon end in some left-leaning states that are considering raising their income taxes. New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Maine may soon place surtaxes on “millionaires,” via legislation in the Garden State and ballot measures in the others. To proponents of larger government and greater state-level redistribution, raising rates on “fat cats” is a perfect way to fund more Medicaid and anti-poverty spending, which is perceived to be under threat at the federal level.

This article originally appeared in RealClearMarkets on April 16, 2018.

The month of April brings about two things Americans love: baseball and warmer weather. It also features our least favorite day of the year—Tax Day. And the fact that we get an extra few days (April 17) to file doesn’t take the sting out of filling out those tax forms and lining up at the Post Office. However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) passed last year may do the trick, leaving wallets a little heavier at the end of the day.

As America approaches Tax Day 2018, it’s tempting to declare victory in the battle for tax reform. In December of 2017, after all, Congress passed the most significant reform of the American tax system in three decades. In addition to sizeable across-the-board reductions in individual tax rates, tax cuts for businesses large and small were enshrined into law. But unfortunately, taxes come in more than one form. Taxpayers and consumers found this out the hard way during the first few months in 2018 when the Trump Administration announced an array of new trade tariffs on products produced in foreign countries.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) President David Williams welcomed the news that the House Ways and Means Committee will be moving forward with the second wave of tax reform. In the aftermath of historic tax cuts, the Committee will push for legislation improving the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas), Subcommittee Chairman Lynn Jenkins (R-Kansas), and Ranking Member John Lewis (D-Ga.) released the package on April 10. » Read More

Americans face a daily barrage of news of the latest casualties in the deadly scourge of opioid addiction. The estimated 115 opioid overdose deaths that happen in the United States every day cut across demographic and class lines, affecting communities across the country. More than two million Americans are caught in the grips of a dependency on prescription painkillers and street pills, with little sign of decline in most states. » Read More

This article originally appeared in the Daily Caller on March 29, 2018

With Easter right around the corner, customers are lining up for Peeps, jelly beans and supersized chocolate bunnies. Many people will not realize, however, that they’re paying a secret tax for these products due to archaic sugar policies rigged against consumers. A consortium of domestic producers use quotas and byzantine pricing systems to their advantage, ensuring grossly overpriced products for all Americans. » Read More

American consumers and taxpayers are spending more on healthcare than they ever have been before. And, if nothing changes, costs will continue to eat into earnings and tax bills. Spending on healthcare is projected to increase by more than five percent every year until 2026, according to the federal government. Premiums and out-of-pocket spending will rise faster than inflation, wages, and economic growth. Rising premiums will inevitably cut into wages, as employers respond to increasing rates by garnishing paychecks. Taxpayers across the country will also pay dearly for the continued rise in costs, as 47 percent of all health care expenses will be borne by Uncle Sam by 2026. » Read More

This article originally appeared in the Washington Examiner on March 19, 2018

There is no telling how many more “G”s will there be. Amid repeated upgrades to broadband, technology experts and pundits have asked time and time again whether technological improvements will continue to inch along. Whether 5G deployment (the latest and greatest “G”) is a walk in the park or a protracted nightmare depends largely on federal policy-making, with pivotal players at the Federal Communications Commission and Congress holding all the cards.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, David Williams, President of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA), slammed President Trump’s announcement of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the United States. In a March 6 open letter signed by 30 free market organizations, TPA cautioned against the tariffs, citing the costs posed to consumers.

On March 6, 2018, TPA and 29 additional conservative groups joined together to send President Trump a coalition letter urging him to reconsider his proposed tariffs on aluminum and steel. While we appreciate President Trump's work cutting taxes and promoting America, tariffs on aluminum and steel will be a tax on the Middle Class with everything from cars to baseball bats to even beer being more expensive. You can find the full letter here. » Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) reacted to President Trump’s planned tariffs on aluminum and steel, which were announced on March 1, 2018. TPA President David Williams voiced his frustration with the new policy, stating that, “We are extremely disappointed with the announced tariffs on steel and aluminum. These new taxes will mean price increases on everything from cars to baseball bats to even beer.” » Read More

On February 14, 2018, Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) President David Williams testified before the Georgia House Ways and Means Committee to urge lawmakers to support H.B. 877, which would significantly lower taxes on modified risk tobacco products that are authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As the full Georgia House of Representatives prepares to vote on H.B. 877, TPA reiterates its support of the legislation. » Read More

The nation’s space program often entails sucking billions of taxpayer dollars into black holes. The President’s FY 2019 Budget, released on February 12, gives taxpayers a pleasant break from space oddities. The Budget proposes the removal of government funding for the International Space Station (ISS) by 2024, turning the project over to the private sector. Already this proposal is receiving criticism from some fiscal hawks blindsided by their love for federal forays into space. » Read More